Gov. Perry Skypes With Kountze Cheerleaders, Reads Scripture In Support Of Religious Freedom

Over the weekend Governor Perry Skyped with Kountze cheerleaders and expressed his support for putting Christian scripture on their high school football team's run-through banners. In the short video the Governor cited scripture and compared the school board to the Sanhedrin that commanded Jesus' disciples not teach or speak in his name. Only a few weeks ago the Governor called on, “Christian warriors, Christian solders”, to prevent the likes of the Obama Administration from removing references to God in the public square which he calls, “the devil's work”. You can see him explain further at the Texas Tribune Festival where he opened with the phrase “I believe in Satan”. The controversy has overtaken the small East Texas town but I have been following it since the beginning. In short, the KISD superintendent banned scripture on the football run-throughs after receiving legal council but a temporary restraining order on behalf of the cheerleaders overturned the ban. The next hearing is set to resume Oct. 14th. Below is an excerpt of what Perry told the cheerleaders before Friday nights game.

The full video can be watched below the jump.

Hey listen I want to take just a second while we are here together and share with you just a little bit of something to think about that I thought was rather appropriate where you find yourself. I found some scripture you know Peter and John and the disciples they were out preaching after the resurrection and the Sanhedrin call them in, you know thats kind of all the mucky mucks, i guess kind of the school board if you will. The Sanhedrin called them in and said hey y'all got to stop with all this preaching. I want to read some scripture to you that i think is rather apropo for this afternoon. Its in ACTs, 4th Chapter verses 8-20 it says, “then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus, but Peter and John replied, which is right in Gods eyes to listen to you or to him? You be the judges, as for us we can not help but speak about what we have seen and heard.

That reminded me a lot about what you all are doing with your scripture on your banners and I just want to call and tell you Im proud of you and God Bless you.

VIDEO below the jump…Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott also offered his support and the support of his office in a letter to the superintendent saying, “If you decide to allow the cheerleaders of Kountze High to freely display their chosen message on their banners at football games, and if the Freedom From Religion Foundation or any other group sues Kountze ISD as a result, my office stands ready to file a brief with the court protecting the cheerleaders' religious liberties.” Just a week ago he doubled down on his support giving numerous examples of Christians' religious rights being infringed upon, but offered no example of protecting a religious minority's right to display their own scripture. Also chiming in were local State Representative James White and Republican Congressional candidate Steve Stockman. Blurring the lines between church and state seems to be part of the Republican's strategy to holding on to power in the state and nationally. As South Carolina's Republican Senator Lindsey Graham so eloquently told the Washington Post, “The demographics race we're losing badly,”..”We're not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.”

About Author

Joe was born and raised in Beaumont, Tx, but live music and politics brought him to Austin.
He has worked in and around government and elections for over a decade including for a member of US Congress, the Texas Legislature, the Mayor of Austin.
He currently serves as Communications Director for the Travis County Democratic Party. He is most interested in transportation, energy and technology issues. He also likes Texas Hold'em and commuting on his electric skateboard.
Follow me on Twitter at @joethepleb.